Maybe another example of snot-nosed want-a-be Black Hawkers. Want to be considered important but really just wealthy trailer trash. Nimbyism, lying political candidates, drugged up high school kids-puke. I hope the Police catch these bas.....losers whether they were kids or adults. Their names should be posted for all to see too. Pleasanton blames the Mayor and Council for everything bad and gives them little praise for doing anything good. Walk the parks, when were you acosted last?, streets and infrastructure in good shape. Traffic problems afflict the country, not just Pleasanton. Shame on us......last time I remember us being in the news was the Booze Party and oh yeah--the sand-stone shade of a house being improper and then there was many,many years ago the wrong house being burned down by the fire department. Most Pleasanton snotty residents probably did not live here then--probably in diapers.

Posted by Brentwood Gal
a resident of another community
on Nov 6, 2008 at 11:30 am

WOW!! Is this kind of hate really still going on? We as Americans have the opportunity now to change things for the better, and actions like this are just disgusting. Obama brings hope and we all need to take this exciting journey with him. He said it over and over in his speech ON Tuesday...."Yes We Can"!

If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.
President John F. Kennedy

I'm disgusted that this sort of vile, skinhead element is present in my neighborhood. I think it's telling that the black family are the only ones in our neighborhood who have had this problem; and, I suspect these perpetrators are racists. Since they left the familie's "yes on 8" sign alone, I'm guessing that these are teenage children whose parents listen to rightwing hate radio, getting their children all hepped up about how Obama is a Muslim and all kinds of ridiculous lies. They probably hate gays too, since that sign was left alone. They probably felt that their parents would sanction this kind of hateful Brownshirt behavior. And, this is scary! We need to come together as a community and a neighborhood to demonstrate to this family that we in Pleasanton will not put up with this sort of behavior. We need to embrace this family and protect them from these vile monsters. I hope that some of us can get together and raise some money to help pay this family back for the costs of the tires and whatever else this incident cost them. I think someone (the police department?) should give our community a chance to do this. I also think the police should consider this a racist hate crime. Lots of us in Pleasanton have Obama signs and didn't get this sort of treatment. And, what they did to this one house is extreme! They did alot to this family. For the police to dismiss this as a political prank is outrageous! I hope they took fingerprints and I really want them to catch these people and bring them to justice. It's not as if the Pleasanton police have alot of other things to do. This incident goes way beyond a prank. This is Hitler's Germany. This is Brownshirt behavior. This is what I call the Christian Taliban in America. This isn't funny. To do nothing is to condone this hateful, spiteful behavior. Is it okay for a black family to put political signs on their lawn in Pleasanton? Apparently not!

Posted by Former Pleasanton Resident
a resident of another community
on Nov 6, 2008 at 1:47 pm

I was very moved by the article I read about what had occurred to your family and am truly sorry for the hate crime you have experienced. I grew up in Pleasanton most my whole life from the 80's and graduated high school in the 90's. We were relentlessly teased and made fun of. We had our first house egged every week, and the meaner kids at school would chase us on their bikes and harrass us continuously. We had to move to another house in Pleasanton, and found more peace in our second home. Growing up, I also was teased and experienced racism, kids pulling their eyes back, mouthing 'ching-chong' to me, and on occassion calling me an (Asian slur) and treating me like a second class citizen. It was a tough tough place to grow up in, being one of the few minorities in the community, which felt heavily racist to me based on my experiences. I'm so sorry for what you and your family have gone through, and that I've been there. I've also risen above it and feel sorry for the racists left in Pleasanton as my world has expanded and opened up with the love, care and support of so many great people who are above judgement and racism. There is a wonderful world outside of what I envision Middle America to embody, the small minded, conservative towns left in California like Pleasanton, and am so glad and grateful I no longer live there. I hope this message finds you and your family well. GO OBAMA!

Posted by sad
a resident of another community
on Nov 6, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Sad, sick, disgusting......and more.

Those involved should be caught and punished to the highest degree possible.

But, an incident such as this, or any other despicable act perpetrated in Pleasanton, does not represent the fine city of Pleasanton…nor it's citizens…..Just as it should not for any other city that has seen violence or hatred rear it's ugly head by a few criminals.

My heart goes out to the family, and congratulate them on the class they have shown after such an incident.

Posted by Berry
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 6, 2008 at 4:16 pm

"It does not meet the elements of a hate crime said Pleasanton police Lt. Jeff Bretzing." Is this the way our police department is headed? Or are we sweeping this under the carpet to protect our image as the perfect little town? No racism here. Just good old boys. (Comments partially removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff as innuendo, hearsay or specific accusatory information unsupported by facts.)As a long time time Plesanton resident I am disgusted I live among people that would do this sort of thing.

When I read this story in today's paper I was sick to my stomach. Isn't Pleasanton supposed to be a community of character? I guess those values haven't translated to everyone. I offer my sincere apologies to this family and hope this act is not reflective of Pleasanton as a whole. I hope that someone will come forward with information leading to the arrest of these vandals so they can be held accountable for their actions. Not a hate crime! Unbelievable! I guess it is just a coincidence that the family just happened to be African American!

Posted by Julie
a resident of Vintage Hills Elementary School
on Nov 6, 2008 at 7:09 pm

To the Patrick family: I am so sorry this happened to you! It should not be treated as a prank & I certainly hope the perps are brought to justice. We should all be able to express our views without fear of retaliation and certainly regardless of our race, culture, gender or sexual orientation!

Posted by Clint
a resident of Walnut Grove Elementary School
on Nov 6, 2008 at 8:09 pm

I am sorry this happened. These people do not represent the Pleasanton that I have lived in for 40+ years. Pleasanton Police Dept. : find these idiots and let know who they are and where they live. Please!

I am saddened and angered that this has happened to this family. I am appalled that the police department is not considering this a hate crime or a racially motivated incident The fact that the house of a African American family with Obama signs was vandalized above the other Obama supporters who are not African American, and the type graffiti that was left can lead to no other conclusion than this being a hateful and racist attack. Not calling it such allows the residents in Pleasanton to go on feeling that racism is not an issue. This also minimizes the family's experience- adding insult to injury. I would hope that our Police department, and community leaders would want to lead by example and show this family and their children that they serve and protect all citizens of Pleasanton. To the Patrick family, My heart goes out to you and I am so sorry this has happened.

It saddens me to know this family had to deal with this type of incident in our community. Pleasanton has much going for it and this recent election showed we can have differences of opinion, but still treat each other with respect.

If it turns out to be kids who did this...look no further than the parents who are raising them...they are their role models. And remember, they are "unfinished" people and we can only hope they will one day soon have the maturity and the wisdom to recognize the hurt they have caused and seek to make amends in some way.

If it was adults, I feel sorry for the small life they must lead...such anger/hatred is a symptom of an unhealthy soul.

To the Patrick Family, our hearts are with you and we hope some comfort can come from knowing there are many more folks that support you and condem the behavior of those involved. And yes, we have to be vigilant about our quest to be a community of character. While there are those in town that sometimes live down to the lowest expectations of Pleasanton's reputation, they are the exception. We stand together with you, shoulder to shoulder and say 'This is not accetable here...or anywhere.'

Just the air escaping from a slashed tire would have made quite a noise, plus, eggs hitting the house, vehicle window being smashed and persons scampering around.

This was a shameful attack, perpetrated by cowards in the dark of night...

Since the Patrick's were targeted before, would it be reasonable to assume this was probably done by someone in their neighborhood. With black citizens residing in most Pleasanton neighborhoods, why would someone bypass a home in their neighborhood to attack a home in another neighborhood...

As Linda said, "Someone knows who did this". Sooner or later, someone will brag to the right person and this crime will be solved...

Posted by springlyn
a resident of Pleasanton Middle School
on Nov 7, 2008 at 3:25 am

We moved to Pleasanton two years ago for the better school and better community. Believe me, racism does exists in Pleasanton. Of all our neighbors, our van got broken window glasses, eggs thrown in our car and even our raindeer got stolen. And we are the only Asian family on the block.

Posted by PTown Mom
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 7, 2008 at 6:41 am

The vandals have got to be in the neighborhood and know the race of the family. It would take too much effort for an outsider to case Pleasanton to see where certain families live and do not live in order to damage the type of family then intended.

Our Obama lawn signs were stolen twice. Each time within a couple of days after I put them up. Obviously by someone who lives nearby. Several people shouted racial slurs at my son when he was waving Obama signs at the intersection of Bernal and Sunol. It is unfortunate that we have people with such hatred in our neighborhood. I feel sad for their narrow mindedness.

Posted by Elaine Olson
a resident of Country Fair
on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:45 am

Dear Pleasanton Weekly:

I find this vandalism in Pleasanton to be intolerable. I will not stand for this to happen on OUR town. I will not let a few irresponsible people ruin someone's property and spirit. I suggest anyone who cares about family, this town and what it stands for, to offer support. Let restaurants offer gift certificates, businesses give Christmas vouchers, nurserys offer plants or flowers, and at the very least send cards of support to the family via the Police Department or City Hall.
If we are to have a new direction for the nation.. let it start here with us today!

Posted by Leigh
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:50 am

Just plain sick. Racism still exist very much in Pleasanton, and still long ways to go.

Has this kind of happened elsewhere in other neighborhoods?
We had random vandalism to our cars even way before election like
eggs and ketchup thrown. Police said can't do anything about it.
We suspect it's neighborhood kids with nothing better to do.

Posted by Jacques
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 7, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Not so surprised since we've already endured 3 weeks of the junior
KKK shouting racial epitaphs on the street corners (egged on no doubt from TV coverage of the Palin rallies) while well-wishers honked and
shouted support.

Jennifer are you there? This happened on your watch. Use your
reelection mandate to let EVERYONE know these kinds of crimes will
not be tolerated.

Start by covering the cost of the Patrick's vandalism cleanup and
continue by:

1) urging the DA to consider a full-out hate-crime prosecution
and direct the police chief to treat the investigation of this
crime very very seriously.

A book club that I belong to read a book called "White Like Me," written by a man named Tim Wise. He also conducts seminars on racism. It would be wonderful to have him come to our city and conduct such a seminar. Meanwhile, might I suggest that Pleasantonians read his book. It really does expose the many ways that we are blatantly and inadvertantly racist and how this damages the fabric of our democracy. Racism is such an ugly, devisive entity, which people have used for centuries to divide people, usually for nefarious purposes. It's never too late to question those beliefs that harm others.

Posted by Rednecked
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 13, 2008 at 10:46 pm

This hate crime is a poor reflection of the racism here in Pleasanton. Our prejudice is usually pretty quiet. It's after you leave; then we talk about you and make jokes. We should pride ourselves on our discreetness. When you trash a house like that, you should always trash the house next door as well. It's a way to get your point accross without arousing the media. Things are getting way out of hand now. So lets all keep it down for awhile till things cool off. Thanks

Posted by A Donlon Family
a resident of Donlon Elementary School
on Nov 14, 2008 at 11:22 pm

My heart goes out to this wonderful Pleasanton family. The acts against them were juvenile and extremely out of line. At what point will we all realize that the bottom line is we are all people with dreams, goals, feelings, futures regardless of the way we look, believe or vote. I'd love to encourage the people that did this to them to come forward but thus far they've shown themselves to be nothing but cowards, afraid of taking ownership for the destruction they've caused. There's no integrity or dignity in what they've done and they'll more than likely continue cower in shame. My prayers are with the Patricks. God willing, we will all be accountable for our deeds someday.